Ind Vs SL: Nic Pothas Defends Sri Lanka Players After Mask Controversy
Dec 3, 2017 at 8:38 PM
Sri Lanka interim coach Nic Pothas has come in all support of his players by saying the players wore the face masks as a precautionary measure after he added players vomited after entering the change room.
“We had players coming off the field and vomiting,” Pothas told journalists at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium after the stumps on day two of the third and final Test.
Interestingly, the play was halted at 12:29 PM on Sunday when Sri Lanka complained about the acrid air, as they came to field at lunch while wearing the masks which saw many were unhappy with the Lankan gesture.
For around three times, the play was stopped when Lankan players cited the health issues which further saw the umpires had a long conversation with Dinesh Chandimal-led side.
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Unfortunately, Lakmal was vomiting ‘continuously’ according to Pothas, which further witnessed on-field umpires were discussing the matter with ICC match referee David Boon.
Taking many by surprise when the game was stopped for 18-minutes when Lankan fast bowled Lahiru Gamage struggled on his bowling mark.
Pothas added the smog was the new thing for his players, as pollution in Delhi has already grabbed the headlines across the globe.
“I think it’s the first time that everybody has come across that situation,” Pothas maintained.
However, during the Indian batting skipper, Virat Kohli was enraged when brief stoppage during the play made him lose his cool and calm head at one stage.
Pothas reiterated the oxygen cylinders in the dressing room have had made things better for the visiting side, but it was difficult to go out at the ground and play the normal game.
“There were oxygen cylinders in the change room. It’s not normal for players to suffer in that way while playing the game,” Pothas asserted.
As Lanka registered the protest for around four times which further saw the visitors were one-short of a player on the field after Suranga Lakmal returned to the dressing room.
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After being irked by Sri Lanka field which witnessed team doctors rushing on to the field, Kohli announced declaration on 536 for seven.
Concluding, Pothas admitted the fact by saying it’s is in the hands of match officials who are bound to meet as the rules don’t reveal much when it comes to the pollution which has not been a norm for abandoning or suspending a game.
“There aren’t too many rules regarding pollution. What we are going to do tomorrow is in the hands of the match referee,” Pothas concluded.
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It’s pertinent to mention, in October, the Delhi witnessed the hazardous pollutants when thick smog engulfed the capital to force the children to remain indoors.